1. Warlord Prince
Author's Note: In Child, Jaenelle and Daemon's son's name is Andulvar Saetan. I've changed it to Kiernan Saetan Daemon. I'm going to go back and revise Child soon. Kiss kiss.
Kiernan looked around as he stepped through the Gateway. He had been to Terreille twice before, both times with his family to visit his Aunt Wilhelmina. Now, he was alone and friendless in a strange Realm. He paused to look around before stepping out of the alter room and making his way to the landing web nearby. He caught the Opal wind and sped to the west in the direction he was reasonably sure Chaillot was located. He counted landing beacons, trying to remember where the right one was. Finally, he dropped from the Winds and, using Craft, soared over the landing, looking for familiar landmarks. Ahead, he saw the glittering of the sun reflecting off water. He smiled and let himself drop to the groudn, landing lightly on his feet.
Aunt Wilhelmina? He sent on an Opal thread. The Opal should reach her and if it didn't...well, he would figure out something. A moment later however, she responded.
Kiernan? Mother Night, what are you doing in Terreille?!
It's a long story. Can I come there?
Yes, yes! Come on, you don't need to ask, you silly boy! Where are you? I hope you left me enough time to prepare a room for you. Where did you say you were?
He grinned.
I didn't. And I don't know. Somewhere east of Chaillot, I know that.
Send me an image. I'll show it to my Master of the Guard. Alin!!
Kiernan winced, sure he wasn't supposed to hear her shriek. A moment later, a male mind, a Warlord Prince with Purple Dusk Jewels, joined the connection.
Yes Lady?
Prince Kiernan is coming to visit and needs directions. Kiernan?
He sent them a mental image of the surrounding country. A moment later, the male came back.
I know where that is. Do you need an escort, Prince?
Something about the mind set Kiernan's teeth on edge. No. Thank you. Just directions.
The Warlord Prince sent him directions. Thank you again. I'll be there soon, Aunt. He sent a kiss to his aunt before withdrawing. He caught the Opal wind again and sped towards Chaillot.
When he dropped from the Winds on the landing web near Wilhelmina's home, a Rose Jeweled Warlord, a young man he judged had just gone through the Offering, was waiting for him.
"Prince SaDiablo?" the man asked, looking him up and down. Kiernan bristled and drew himself up to his full height. He knew he looked like an over grown boy, he hadn't grown into the broad shoulders and height he had inherited from his father and grandfather, but he was a higher caste and wore darker Jewels.
"Sadi," he said shortly. The man flinched, but nodded and motioned toward the carriage waiting for them.
"Lasy Benidict is waiting for you." He was informed when they pulled up in front of the mansion. Kiernan nodded and ran a hand through his hair, letting it fall into his golden eyes. He knew, despite not having reached his full growth, he was very handsome and intended to use it to his advantage from now on.
"Kiernan!!"
When he stepped into the parlor, he was ingulfed in a bear hug. He hugged his aunt back, looking around at the same time, looking for the cause of the male scent. He pulled away and straightened his shoulders, all the violance of a Warlord Prince rushing to the surface when he sighted Wilhelmina's Master of the Guard.
He was an older man, his black hair silvered at the temples, but his gray eyes were sharp and hard as steel. He knew the other man was raising to the killing edge, but that just drove him harder.
"Prince Alin, attend."
Wilhelmina's voice sliced through the tension in the room. Kiernan turned to look at her and was shocked to see the same steel in her face as he had often seen in his mother's. The sight was enough to drive him away from the killing edge. A quick glance at the other Warlord Prince told him he was calm as well.
"Kiernan, my Master of the Guard, Alin Jeter. Alin, my nephew, Kiernan Saetan Daemon SaDiablo."
"Sadi," Kiernan said quietly. "It's just Sadi now. Kiernan Sadi."
"Prince," Alin said curtly, nodding to him before brushing past him. "If you'll excuse me, I have things to see to."
"Kiernan, was that nessicary?" Wilhelmina demanded when they were alone. Kiernan shrugged, his eyes glittering.
"He challenged me."
"When?"
"I can't say when. I just...felt it."
Wilhelmina could tell he wasn't going to continue the conversation. She sighed.
"Follow me. I'll show you to your room."
Kiernan stayed with Wilhelmina for five years. On his nineteenth birthday, he went to Cassandra's alter and made the Offering to the Darkness. He walked away with the Red.
A year later, he left Chaillot and went to Hayll, where he used the money Daemon had set up for all his children in Terreille to invest in several business ventures. Before long, he was one of the wealthiest men in Terreille. He ised the money to restore SaDiablo Hall. After it was rebuilt, he moved in. The Queens of Hayll, all of whom wore lighter Jewels, asked him, as the only dark Jeweled Warlord Prince in the territory, to take up the post of Warlord Prince of Hayll. He accepted.
It was during his fifteenth year in Terreille that one of his family from Kaeleer found him. His butler, a sober Warlord who wore the Opal, knocked on his study door one day.
"Prince Sadi, there is a witch here to see you. She says it is important."
"Does it have to do with the rebuilding of Hayll or any of the surrounding territories?" Kiernan questioned without looking up from his papers. After realizing the fear that the name Sadi created, he had taken his father's name. He had originally used it to annoy Wilhelmina's Master of the Guard, but now it was a matter of pride and respect.
"No sir, but…"
"Then send her away. I told you not to let any visitors in, Alwin."
"Very good sir." Alwin shut the door and Kiernan returned to his work. Five minutes later, the study door slammed open. He looked up and found himself facing an enraged Gray Jeweled Healer.
"You don't even have the courtesy to say hello to your sister?" she demanded. He stood and snapped his mouth shut.
"Kaylie?" he said softly. She nodded curtly and settled in the chair before his desk.
"Yes, damn you. Why haven't you come home, Kier?" she growled. Kiernan rubbed his neck and perched on the edge of his desk.
"This is home for me, Sister," he said quietly. Kaylie scowled.
"So, you are just going to stay here, deny the rest of us the chance to know you, to love you?" Her face softened. "Will you at least come back for a visit?"
"What for?" he mumbled. "Kaylie, do you know what I have been through since Luthvian was broken? How the memory of seeing her, covered in blood, unconscious, her Jewels shattered and dull, haunts me? I just know if I go back, I'll go crazy from the memory."
"Not even to be therefore my wedding?" she said softly. He raised an eyebrow.
"When are you getting married? Who are you marrying?" he demanded. Kaylie smiled shyly.
"His name is Jairus. He is a Warlord Prince from Tigrelan. He wears the Sapphire Jewels." Her eyes sparkled. "He has been my consort for a year, but we want more then that."
"I see." Kiernan started to pace, wrestling with his answer. He had always been close to Kaylie, who was five years his junior, at times closer then with Rosey, who was five years older then him. He wanted to be there for her wedding, wanted to see her happy. But at the same time, he knew he was taking a big risk for his sanity if he went back to Kaeleer. He shook his head.
"Can I have a day to think about this?" he asked. Kaylie nodded. He gave her a weak smile. "Thanks. Will you stay the night? As you can see, I have rebuilt the Hall."
"So I noticed. It is very nice. Oh, I was asked to give this to you." She called in a sealed parchment letter. "I think I should let you read it alone. The floor plan here is the same as in Kaeleer, right?"
Kiernan nodded, his eyes riveted to the paper, where his name was written in a feminine hand, Kiernan Sadi. "Just tell Alwin which rooms you want and he will have them cleaned out for you," he said absently. When the door closed, he slowly turned the paper over and broke the seal.
Kiernan, it began, the writing was childish and large, but he recognized the handwriting. His insides churned.
Kaylie told me she was going to find you so I asked her to take this to you. Kiernan dear, there is no need to feel guilt over what happened. Luthvian has been healed, your mother brought her back from the Twisted Kingdom just as she did my son and me, to an extent. Of course, she no longer can wear her Jewels, but she has adjusted. Do you know what her first question was when she returned? Where is Kiernan? Dear one, she was devastated to find that you had left because of her. For a while, she was determined to try to find you, but her parents and Jaenelle stopped her. Her deepest wish is for you to return, so she can thank you and just talk to you.
If the idea that your cousin is fully healed and in possession of her mind is not enough to bring you back to Kaeleer, even for a brief visit, then know this. I am dying, sweet boy. I have seen over four thousand years, half of those years I have spent in the Twisted Kingdom. Even now, I am fighting to stay aware long enough to write this letter to you. My body has worn itself down and I feel closer to the Darkness everyday. Kiernan, I want to see you once more before I die. I want to see my sweet boy, the boy who resembles my son so much before I become a whisper in the Darkness. Please, Kiernan, come home.
Everyone here in the Shadow Realm sends you their best wishes. Rosey asked me to tell you she has a bone to pick with you about a certain spell laid over the bottles in her workroom. Dear me, will you never grow out of pranking? Luthvian begs me to give you her love and her wish to see you at little Kaylie's wedding. Mother night, I can't believe that girl is getting married.
You have all my love, my dearest grandson. I hope you choose to come home, even if it is just for a visit.
Your grandmother,
Tersa
Kiernan leaned back in his chair, the letter held loosely in his hand. Tersa had always been a bright light in his life, someone he could go to when he was sad or frustrated or happy. Tersa, who had been broken on her Virgin Night, his father's mother. She was dying. She knew that that news would bring him back, to be with her during her last minutes. He knew that and a small part of him hated her for using that weapon against him, the rest grateful that she had given him a reason to return.
And Luthvian…Luthvian wasn't in the Twisted Kingdom anymore! Knowing her, she would have settled down to live without her Jewels, would have picked up life right where she had dropped it. He had to get back, just to see her.
"Sir?" Alwin's questioning voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked up and saw his butler shifting from foot to foot and looking like he would rather not deliver his message.
"Yes Alwin?"
"Sir, dinner is ready and the Lady Kaylie says you had better get your…" he swallowed and looked down. Kiernan smiled.
"Let me guess. My sister said I had better get my ass down there or else she will come up here and beat the shit out of me, right?" Alwin's red face was enough to let him know he had guessed correctly. "Alwin, you should learn this now. When you are dealing with any SaDiablo woman, it is best to do what she wants. Kaylie might be a Healer, but she can, and most likely will, carry out any threat she makes, even if she has to patch up her victim afterwards." He stood and stretched. "I am coming, so no need to worry about telling the Lady Angelline that I won't be down."
He hurried to the dining room and stopped dead in the door. The table, which usually was only set for one, when he even ate in here, was glowing with candles. The finest china and crystal was set out in two places. Steam rose from the platters on the table. Kaylie smiled at him from her seat.
"What happened in here?" he choked out. Alwin appeared at his side.
"Heather decided that the Lady Angelline's presence was sufficient to break out the china," he said calmly. Kiernan made a strained noise.
"Dearest brother, are you not going to join me?" Kaylie said quietly, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. He smiled and pulled out his chair.
"I don't eat this formally unless I have to entertain guests or I have to attend one of those annoying, social dinners," he informed her as he served them. He frowned. "Come to think of it, I was invited to one of those tonight. Damn. If I had known you would be here, I wouldn't have accepted. It is a bit late now."
"Well, you go and I'll stay. It will be fun to explore the Hall, see how you have differed from Kaeleer."
"No. No, I can't do that." He frowned. "You didn't happen to bring any fancy dresses, did you?"
"Well, yes, but only…"
"Good. Then it's settled." He picked up his fork and started to eat. She raised an eyebrow.
"What is settled?" she said coolly. He looked up.
"You coming with me, of course," he glanced up and was amused to see the look of panic on her face.
"Kier, I can't go! I am just a Healer; I don't even go to those kinds of things in Kaeleer! What makes you think…?"
"First of all, it is Kiernan now. And second, you are a member of the SaDiablo family. That makes you like a god in Terreille. Third, you are my sister and I refuse to let you enjoy yourself in my home while I have to spend a depressing evening with the Blood that is left in Terreille."
"But…but…"
"Come on, Kaylie. It will be fun. I promise you will not be disappointed." He stifled a laugh when she sighed in defeat.
"Oh, fine."
"Good. Oh, and I have made up my mind. I will return with you to Kaeleer. But as soon as your wedding is over, I am leaving."
Her gold-blue eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands together.
"Really? Oh thank you!" She hugged herself. "I can't wait until you see everyone! Daemonar has taken that Eyrien girl as his lover, Arianan, you remember her, right? And Luthvian has set up shop in Halaway; she sells herbs and plants to Healers. I only ever buy from her. Josephar…" Kaylie chattered nonstop about the various happenings in their family. He let her ramble on, enjoying listening to the catalogue of events. She was still talking when the meal was over. He sipped his wine, watching her. Then he snapped to attention.
"…and Rosey and Devon are expecting their first baby in the fall."
"First?" he interrupted, raising an eyebrow. She nodded. "They have been married how long? Almost fifteen years? And they are just now having children?" Kaylie frowned at him.
"Rosey is the Territory Queen of Dhemlan. She has a lot to do."
"Territory Queen? Did Father give up his role as Warlord Prince?"
Kaylie's face fell. "Yes. Mother…mother took sick last year. She…her health hasn't been that good for a couple of years now. Father gave up Dhemlan to look after her."
"Oh." He sat back and turned over those facts. His mother was sick. He did a quick tally of years and realized she was over sixty years old. Jaenelle didn't come from one of the long-lived races. At best, she might live to be a hundred years old. He, Rosey and Kaylie, with their Dhemlan and Hayllian blood, would live longer then their mother; maybe reach a thousand or even two thousand years. He had never thought that she would die long before him.
"Kiernan? Are you okay?" Kaylie's concerned tone brought him out of his revere. He smiled at her.
"I am fine. And you aren't going to call me Kiernan, are you?" She grinned.
"Nope. You have always been Kier to me and you always will." She stood and brushed her skirts off. "We should get ready, if we are going to a party."
"Yes. Be ready to leave before dark."
She nodded and walked out of the room. At the doorway, she paused and looked back.
"Kiernan?"
"Yeah?" he looked up from the glass of brandy he was pouring to see a soft light in her eyes.
"I am so happy to see you. I missed you." She smiled and disappeared. He continued sitting, eyes never leaving the door. He sighed.
"I missed you too, Kaylie."